Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I support colleagues on this side of the House in their call for a debate on issues arising from the Morris tribunal report and recommendations. In particular, I support the call by Senator Brian Hayes for a temporary stop to be put on the Garda Síochána Bill currently before the Dáil. I do not see why it would not be possible to do this because we know there is a queue of legislation that has gone from this House to the other House. There is clearly an order of priority in terms of how Bills are being dealt with so it would not be unreasonable of us to request that this would happen and that we be given the necessary space to have the debate around the issues that arise from the Morris tribunal recommendations.

The public is very concerned about the response of the Government and the Garda Commissioner to the findings of the tribunal and there is widespread concern about how this issue is being handled and managed. We have a very important role to play as Members of the Oireachtas in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána, particularly those many fine members of the force who do their best on behalf of the public on a daily basis, is fully restored. Clearly the name of the Garda Síochána has been severely sullied by the findings of the Morris tribunal and we need to address that. We in the Labour Party are totally open to any suggestion that would come to us by way of managing Private Members' time tomorrow night. I await hearing from the Leader in that regard, should she so choose.

I also ask the Leader to find time if possible for us to debate how this State is treating asylum seekers. I watched the "Prime Time Investigates" documentary broadcast last Thursday, which featured the Leader. I was shocked when I saw the programme. I had read about the situation facing the Athlone-based Nigerian family but I was really shocked to see its full extent. I think the humanity of the community is hugely offended by the manner in which these families have been treated. The remarks of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform about cock-and-bull stories were doubly offensive against the background of the experience of these particular families. We cannot stand idly by and allow this to continue. I have received correspondence from the group in Athlone and I commend it on its work. Let us see what we can do in that regard; I know the Leader has her concerns about the matter.

I am conscious that we are strapped for time but the National Economic and Social Forum is publishing a report on pre-school and early education of children. I have a particular interest in this so I ask the Leader to allocate time, at the earliest opportunity, to debate the findings of that report which is most important.